Women's Health Month: Spotlighting Patient Leaders With PPCM
May is designated as Women's Health Month. We want to raise awareness about heart failure and its impact on women's health. One form of heart failure that affects women is postpartum cardiomyopathy, also known as peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM).1
PPCM is a type of heart failure that occurs in women during pregnancy or in the months after delivery. It is rare but potentially life-threatening. And it can cause major complications for both the mother and the baby.1
Women who have a history of cardiac disorders or high blood pressure may be at an increased risk of developing PPCM during pregnancy. It is important for these women to receive proper medical care before and during pregnancy to help prevent complications.2
By raising awareness about PPCM and its risk factors, we can help women receive proper medical care and reduce the risk of complications.
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Meet our Patient Leaders living with PPCM
Tina Marie Marsden
Four months after the birth of her second son, Tina Marie was diagnosed with PPCM and congestive heart failure. Unfortunately, her condition further progressed into heart failure. At her first heart transplant evaluation, it was discovered that she also had lung cancer. This brought her hopes of a heart transplant to a halt. With an ejection fraction and heart function of 5 percent, she received a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) in 2012.
Through her journey, Tina has discovered her purpose as a patient advocate. She continues to live life to the fullest despite a diagnosis of stage 4 advanced heart failure, sharing her story and spreading awareness and education of PPCM.
Read Tina's articles
Pretty Lady Chronicles: Maternal Health and Heart Failure
PLC: I Have Pregnancy-Induced Heart Failure – Part 1
PLC: I Have Pregnancy-Induced Heart Failure – Part 2
Latoya Johnson Keelen
About 6 weeks after the birth of her last child, Dr. Latoya Johnson Keelen immediately went into end-stage (stage 4) PPCM. The same year, she received an LVAD and internal defibrillator. As of today, she is still attempting to recover. She is currently awaiting a heart transplant.
Although she retired early due to her disability following her PPCM diagnosis, Dr. Johnson Keelen continues to use her experience in health communications, public health, and science writing to share her experiences while educating others about the dangers of heart disease, especially as it pertains to women of color.
Read Latoya's Articles
Health DESPAIR-ities: Black Mothers Are Dying!
PPCM Changed My Life: I Don’t Have Heart Disease – or Do I?
PPCM Changed My Life: I Almost Died - UNNECESSARILY!
PPCM Changed My Life: My Fight Isn’t Over, I’m a PPCM Survivor!
Samantha Stinocher
Samantha Stinocher is a PPCM survivor and mother to twin boys. Since her diagnosis in 2015, she has worked to bring awareness to the condition through social media and collaborations with other influencers. With a newfound appreciation for life, Samantha strives to live each day in gratitude.
Read Samantha's Articles
Finding a Community
Flashbacks After PPCM
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